We're continuing to feature members of our club. If you'd like to be featured, please send a note to communications@propclubjax.com. This month, get to know Daniel Deptula.Propeller Club Member: Daniel DeptulaCompany Name: City of Jacksonville, Emergency Preparedness DivisionEmail: danieldeptula44@gmail.comWhere are you from/hometown?Punta Gorda, FLIf not Jacksonville, how long have you lived in Jacksonville? 6 monthsBriefly explain your job and major responsibilities:I work at Emergency Preparedness Division for City of Jacksonville supporting the Director of Emergency Management and Emergency Operations Center operations, but remain open to employment in the maritime transportation sector.How long have you worked at your current job?2 1/2 MonthsAny prior employment you'd like to share?I recently "retired" from active duty after 25 years with the Coast Guard. I spent 2 years at sea, 10+ years in marine safety/emergency management and 10+ years in maritime security/law enforcement. In my spare time I was a whitewater rafting guide in CA, VA and WV.If you went to college, where did you go and what was your major/minor/degree?US Coast Guard Academy class of 1993 (B.S. Marine Science); US Naval War College class of 2006 (M.A. National Security Policy); US National War College class of 2016 (M.S. National Security Strategy).How long have you been a member of the Propeller Club?Since September of last year.Why did you join the club? Please also include your favorite thing about the Propeller Club.I joined because Jeff Dixon told me to...kidding. Though he did advise me to join after I told him I was retiring from active duty to the Jacksonville, FL area. So far my favorite thing about the Propeller Club was how friendly and helpful everyone has been to me as a new member. I like the opportunities to network and seek opportunities to get more involved in this group and the Port of Jacksonville.What is your favorite Propeller Club event?The member social.Family/Significant Other/Pets?Joyce (wife), Danny (son), Qella and Romeo (German shepherds)What is your proudest moment/achievement?I was selected as Class President of my National War College class (just to get in the school was an honor).What is something unique about you that you'd like to share...hobby/hidden talent/award?I was once on America's Funniest Home Videos, of which my hidden talent was discovered.
Member Spotlight: Get to Know Club President, Ed Coppedge
We're continuing to feature members of our club. If you'd like to be featured, please send a note to Jennifer Kifer, VP of Communications, at communications@propclubjax.com. This month, get to know 2018-19 Club President, Ed Coppedge, Vice President of Coppedge Marine, Inc. d/b/a Coppedge Marine & Industrial.Propeller Club Member: Ed CoppedgeCompany Name: Coppedge Marine, Inc. d/b/a Coppedge Marine & IndustrialTitle: Vice PresidentEmail: coppedge@coppedgemarine.comWhere are you from/hometown?Jacksonville, FloridaBriefly explain your job and major responsibilities:Sales & Technical Representative for Thordon Bearings, Inc. We supply environmentally-friendly propeller shaft bearing systems, rudder and steering linkage bushings, deck equipment bushings to yachts customers on up to Cruise Ships. Industrially, we supply bushings to pump repair companies, Power Plants and Sewage Treatment Plants, South Florida Water Management as well as Hydro-Electric Plants in the Southeast. We also represent Sea Horse Marine Sewage Treatment Devices as well as RPM, Inc, who supplies us with hard coated liners and other castings.How long have you worked at your current job?30 Years in DecemberWhat's your favorite part of your job?I like working with people and companies. I enjoy offering customers a long lasting, environmentally-friendly products. I also enjoy working with my family.If you went to college, where did you go and what was your major/minor/degree?I attended Belmont Abbey College where I earned a degree in Business Administration with a concentration in Marketing. I have had extensive, hands on training in the field as well as frequent training seminars with Thordon Bearings, Inc.How long have you been a member of the Propeller Club?Coming up on 30 years.Why did you join the club? Please also include your favorite thing about the Propeller Club.I joined the Propeller Club Port of Jacksonville for the networking opportunities plus to follow in the footsteps of my Grandfather, James H. Coppedge, President and founder member in 1930, my father, James W. Coppedge- President in 1964 and my brother, Robert J. "Bobby" Coppedge, President in 1993. Shipbuilding and Repair kind of "runs in the blood" of us Coppedges!Favorite Propeller Club Event?I like all the events; however, Maritime Day touches my heart as we remember all those who have gone before us. Secondly- the Pirate Party, because it is a blast!Family/Significant Other/Pets?I have 3 brothers and two sisters plus my parents Jim & Dolly Coppedge. I am married to Beth Coppedge and God Blessed us with a daughter and son.What is your proudest moment/achievement?I am honored to follow in the footsteps of my family as President of the Propeller Club and be active in the maritime community.What is something unique about you that you'd like to share...hobby/hidden talent/award?I am an Assistant Chaplain at Baptist Hospital where I visit the sick and terminally ill. I am a devout Catholic who attends daily mass. I include God in everything I do.
Member Spotlight: Get to Know Jim Wagstaff
We're continuing to feature members of our club. If you'd like to be featured, please send a note to Jennifer Kifer, VP of Communications, at communications@propclubjax.com. This month, get to know Jim Wagstaff, TOTE Maritime Puerto Rico LLC.Propeller Club Member: Jim WagstaffCompany Name: TOTE Maritime Puerto Rico LLCTitle: VP OperationsEmail: jwagstaff@totemaritime.comWhere are you from/hometown?Sulphur, LouisianaIf not Jacksonville, how long have you lived in Jacksonville? Since 1987Briefly explain your job and major responsibilities:I have the honor to lead the land based operations group at Tote Maritime as the VP of Operations. I oversee and lead the Terminal Operations, Equipment, Inland, and Risk Management.How long have you worked at your current job?6 YearsWhat's your favorite part of your job?Watching people grow in responsibility and confidence in themselves.Any prior employment you'd like to share?I worked in the Carrier Transicold Network and was the 8th person in the world to pass the Master Refrigeration Technician program. I have had the opportunity to work at the rail, ocean terminals, vessels, and on airplanes.If you went to college, where did you go and what was your major/minor/degree?Technical Training at FSCJ and numerous leadership programs at UNF, Columbia, and Harvard schools of businessHow long have you been a member of the Propeller Club?This is my First Year as a member.Why did you join the club? Please also include your favorite thing about the Propeller Club.I have participated in many of the events as a guest, but felt as an executive of the organization, it was time to join the club to be able to put my finger on the pulse of the industry by being around the professionals involved with the club.Family/Significant Other/Pets?Susan (wife), Allison (daugther), and Grayson (son)What is your proudest moment/achievement?Personally, children graduating from College; Professionally, being chosen to be one of the executives of Tote Maritime Puerto RicoWhat is something unique about you that you'd like to share...hobby/hidden talent/award?If I'm not at work, I'm typically traveling to another hunting adventure. No real hidden talents; just a regular guy that loves the Lord, his country, the outdoors, and will be eternally grateful for the men and women that serve in the military.Anything else you'd like members of the club to know about you? I'm very proud to have played a part in the "LNG" revolution in Jacksonville.
Member Spotlight: Get to Know Melissa Wilson
We're continuing to feature members of our club. If you'd like to be featured, please send a note to Jennifer Kifer, VP of Communications, at communications@propclubjax.com. This month, get to know Melissa Wilson, TOTE Maritime Puerto Rico LLC.Propeller Club Member: Melissa WilsonCompany Name: TOTE Maritime Puerto Rico LLCTitle: Pricing AnalystEmail: mwilson@totemaritime.comWhere are you from/hometown?Gallipolis, OHIf not Jacksonville, how long have you lived in Jacksonville? 36 YearsBriefly explain your job and major responsibilities:As a Pricing Analyst, I am responsible for contract negotiations and strategic planning for the organization; as well as providing compensatory and competitive rates while maximizing revenue/profitability and market share for the organization.How long have you worked at your current job?14 YearsWhat's your favorite part of your job?The ability to be analytical and think outside the box to achieve the end result.Any prior employment you'd like to share?I received my first opportunity to enter the maritime industry through a high school work study program my senior year at Crowley in 1997. I had the privilege of going to school for a half day and then working the other half. My interest for the maritime industry grew and after high school I was offered a full time position at Crowley followed by Hamburg Sud with roles in Pricing, Customer Service, Special Accounts and Freight Audit. In 2003, I joined TOTE Maritime Puerto Rico and have been working in the Pricing Department since then as a Pricing Analyst.If you went to college, where did you go and what was your major/minor/degree?University of North Florida ("Go Ospreys") - B.S. Business Management; Florida State College at Jacksonville (Formerly FCCJ) - A.S. Business Management and A.S. Marketing ManagementHow long have you been a member of the Propeller Club?Over 10 YearsWhy did you join the club? Please also include your favorite thing about the Propeller Club.I joined the Propeller Club for the networking opportunities and to stay informed about what is going on in the maritime industry. This club has given me the visibility and connections to people and places that I never would have been able to be a part of without them. Thank you Propeller Club!What is your favorite Propeller Club event?State of the PortFamily/Significant Other/Pets?Married to my husband, Jay Wilson, for 16 years with no children. However, we are blessed with two beautiful and sweet "Shih Tzu Fur Babies"... Mya (12 years old) and Mateo (9 years).What is your proudest moment/achievement?My proudest achievement was finally graduating from college with my B.S. I told myself in high school that even though I would have to work full time and go to school at night that I would get my college degree. After many long nights (and years) with an unwavering determination to succeed...I achieved my goal. What a great feeling of accomplishment!What is something unique about you that you'd like to share...hobby/hidden talent/award?A friend introduced me to kayaking last year and I fell in love. I have had the opportunity to kayak in several springs such as Silver Springs, Blue Springs and Juniper Springs. Just gorgeous!!!Anything else you'd like members of the club to know about you? I am a proud Past President of the Propeller Club serving the club from 2011-2012 and have served on the Board of Governors since 2008.
Member Spotlight: Get to Know Will Lusk
We're continuing to feature members of our club. If you'd like to be featured, please send a note to Jennifer Kifer, VP of Communications, at communications@propclubjax.com. This month, get to know Will Lusk, OCEANS LLC.Propeller Club Member: Will LuskCompany Name: OCEANS LLCTitle: Program ManagerEmail: will.lusk@oceansllc.comWhere are you from/hometown?Originally from Buffalo; my family moved several times around the Tampa area.If not Jacksonville, how long have you lived in Jacksonville? I am new to the Jacksonville area and have been here since Spring 2017.Briefly explain your job and major responsibilities:OCEANS LLC provides subject matter expertise in program management, systems engineering, and port and border security. Clients - whether public or private, domestic or international - reach out to my colleagues and I for solutions. We are currently working on several innovative projects for the U.S. Department of Homeland Security Science & Technology Directorate.How long have you worked at your current job?I have been with OCEANS LLC since May 2016.What's your favorite part of your job?My favorite part of my job is the travel. For example, my great relationships with the Caribbean maritime industry have taken me to the Bahamas, Colombia, Curaçao, Puerto Rico, Trinidad & Tobago, and Turks & Caicos - some of the most beautiful places and people on Earth.If you went to college, where did you go and what was your major/minor/degree?I graduated from the University of Central Florida with an M.A. in Political Science: International Studies, a B.A. in Political Science: American Policy & Politics, and a minor in Criminal Justice.How long have you been a member of the Propeller Club?I joined the Propeller Club in February 2017.Why did you join the club? Please also include your favorite thing about the Propeller Club.I am a big believer in the power of relationships and collaboration, and the Propeller Club enables me to connect with the local maritime community. In just a short amount of time, I have made friends and valuable contributions to the groups. The group is welcoming, friendly, and and professional.What is something unique about you that you'd like to share...hobby/hidden talent/award?I worked backstage for the 2012 and 2016 Republican National Conventions, and I hope to do it again in 2020!Anything else you'd like members of the club to know about you? I sit on the Nassau Country Republican Executive Committee representing my precinct.
